About 40 suspended Enogie (Dukes) of Benin Kingdom have appealed to the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to grant them clemency and forgive them.
Recall that the revered Monarch had on Friday, March 7, 2025, approved the suspension of 67 Enogie across the seven local government areas of the Benin Kingdom, over alleged anti-palace and rebellious activities against the Oba.
Their suspension was announced in a statement by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council, Frank Irabor.
247nextnews.com reports that the State Government also ratified their suspension by overriding the five Executive orders issued by former Governor Godwin Obaseki, with one Executive order.
The State Commissioner for Information and Communication, Paul Ohonbamu in a statement after the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, said the move aimed at maintaining order and discipline in the State’s traditional institution.
He emphasized that the actions of the Enigies amounted to a Cultural Coup d’état, when they attempted to overthrow the Oba of Benin.
But, the remorseful 40 Enigie in a statement on Wednesday, denied with great trepidation all the allegation of misconduct against them.
The statement signed by Victor Etinosa Oguigo of Ugoniyekikpoba Dukedom, noted that it would be “suicidal for one to wresrle with his personal God, which you represent in our individual lives.”
The statement reads in part:
“We are therefore appealing most passionately for your Majesty to have conpassion and forgiveness for any or all our short comings.
“As our father, it is often said that ‘the hand you use to beat a child is the same hand you use to draw him close to yourself’.
“We wish to state here categorically that at no time did any of the Enigie subscribe to any oath not to pay allegiance to Omo N’oba N’Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, Oba Ewuare II, CFR, Oba of Benin.
“We at no time swore to any oath not to visit the palace of the Oba of Benin or answer to any summon or invitation by your Royal Majesty. We neither sworn to any other oath that we will not participate in any activities of his Royal Majesty and the Palace of the Oba of Benin nor sworn to any oath not to pay traditional homage to the Oba of Benin.
“Your Majesty Sir, we humbly appeal to your Majesty to temper justice with mercy and forgive us all. We are prepared and willing to appear before your majesty Omo N’Oba N’édo on your invitation and we are willing and prepared to continue to perform our task and Obligations to your Majesty and the Palace.”
